1999 Duetto leaky guttering?

Hello, I own a 1999 Ford Duetto which is causing us a few problems. Basically it is letting rain into the storage channel which runs above the sliding door. Back in the summer I removed the black rail which covers the guttering on the drivers side which was full of moss, however when I tried to remove the other side it was quite fragile so I left it. To clean behind it I used a plastic ruler which did remove a lot of debris. To do this I also removed the pull out awning for access. So at present the drivers side is fine which I am presuming is down to the work conducted earlier this year. Am I correct in thinking the rail is the cause of the damp and are these a replaceable part? I would’ve grateful for any advice on this.

Thanks

Do not think you will get the guttering s, obsolete,

Top windows can also be the cause of water ingress.

Good luck, hope you get it sorted before the really bad weather sets in.
Best regards,
Margaret

Thanks, I thought they would be obsolete due to the age of it.

Might be worth checking out O'learys - they may have your part. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thanks very much, I cannot see anything on their website but will give them a call.

There has been some variation in the design of the gutter covers, but typically at that age they would be vacuum moulded plastic in a design that as far as I'm aware was custom made for A/S. Earlier types were in GRP over a wooden core - again a custom part for A/S. So I doubt you will find a replacement except at a breaker's.

As DM says, the upper windows may be the source of your leak. I hope so, because if water is getting from the outside to the inside at gutter level it is likely to indicate major problems, because it should be an overlapped joint!

Thanks Roopert for the information. We had the window re done two years ago just after we bought it so I do not think it’s that however based on your advice I will certainly check them again.

James 71 wrote:Thanks Roopert for the information. We had the window re done two years ago just after we bought it so I do not think it’s that however based on your advice I will certainly check them again.

Just asking,  when you had the windows done were they just sealed, ran sealant around the window, or were the windows taken out cleaned up, body of van cleaned and then windows refitted/ resealed.?

I had the former by one repairer had to be redone by another repairer who did take the windows completely out.

I took off the blinds and surrounds to save him time. one way of finding out how the windows are fitted.

Good luck.
Margaret

Hi Margret, they were taken out and done properly. Thanks

That`s good.
Regards,
Margaret

James 71 wrote:Hello, I own a 1999 Ford Duetto which is causing us a few problems. Basically it is letting rain into the storage channel which runs above the sliding door. Back in the summer I removed the black rail which covers the guttering on the drivers side which was full of moss, however when I tried to remove the other side it was quite fragile so I left it. To clean behind it I used a plastic ruler which did remove a lot of debris. To do this I also removed the pull out awning for access. So at present the drivers side is fine which I am presuming is down to the work conducted earlier this year. Am I correct in thinking the rail is the cause of the damp and are these a replaceable part? I would’ve grateful for any advice on this.

Thanks

I'm not quite sure what you are describing as "storage channel". Do you mean the guttering channel which runs both sides and rear of van? When i had my Duetto i always remember when raining, if the sliding door was left open there was an annoying drip which fell directly on the step so i'd just shut the door.

The gutter rail plastic trim covers are just there for cosmetic purpose and nothing else. The annoying part is they can hide a build up of crud which then blocks the rainwater from flowing out which eventually leads to rusting. So you've done the right thing by running a ruler down the guttering.

Regards the trim covers A/S had some in stock though it was a few years ago. But they were not cheap...£500 a side from memory! Worth giving them a ring; 01386 - 853338 open until 5pm apart from Friday 3pm.

Thanks Bullet guy. My wife contacted Autosleepers today but they do not have any and as Margret previously said they are indeed obsolete, which given the cost you listed may not be a bad thing. I’m not sure the correct name for it but the storage channel I refer to is the internal storage above the sliding door. I am getting a leak near enough above the seat in the channel and the bottom of it is quite damp. I had a quick look again after work today and I think my next investigation is where the pull out awning is attached to the van.

James 71 wrote:Thanks Bullet guy. My wife contacted Autosleepers today but they do not have any and as Margret previously said they are indeed obsolete, which given the cost you listed may not be a bad thing. I’m not sure the correct name for it but the storage channel I refer to is the internal storage above the sliding door. I am getting a leak near enough above the seat in the channel and the bottom of it is quite damp. I had a quick look again after work today and I think my next investigation is where the pull out awning is attached to the van.

That's a puzzler then as i'd have said the same as Daisy (upper windows), but as you've already had them done i'm not sure where to go from here.   Hopefully your awning investigation will turn something up. Maybe A/S only had one of those gutter trim sections left when i rang them! Surprised they found a buyer at that price!!

I agree, very expensive. Fingers crossed on the awning. Thank you.

Try Cheltonham laminates, they have the moulds for the bumpers may have for guttering.they made them for AS

Worth checking roof vents also, as well as top side windows and bathroom window.
Any leak in fibreglass roof and water will follow the inside edge and come out at the lowest point.
A good way to check is to cover top windows with polythene, tape round the edges get the hosepipe out and see if it still leaks, same with roof vents, at least you can eliminate all possibilities that way.

Dave

Thanks Dave, that sounds like a plan. I will give this a go on the weekend.

And thanks you Margret I will look into that.